Lotus has launched what is arguably the best track-day car money can buy. And for the bargain basement price of £650,000 ($1.25 million) you can have one.
The Type 125 is, basically, a Formula One car. Its redline is calmed down to 10,000rpm from 18,500rpm, and it benefits from some aero trickery that the FIA rulebook simply won't allow.
It's powered by a Cosworth 3.5 litre V8 making 470kW (640bhp) linked to a six-speed semi-auto gearbox with paddle-shifters - and with a weight of just 560kg, its power-to-weight ratio is nearly 1000hp a tonne.
Owners won't need a full squadron of mechanics to use it, but will need at least two highly skilled spanner spinners. The engine will need rebuilding every 3000km and the gearbox will require a strip-and-check.
"It's faster than 1990 F1 cars," said Lotus driver Johnny Mowlem. "It's an absolute weapon and very, very exciting to drive ... There's nothing else that compares to it."
